Statement of inauguration of Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT)

September 30, 2003, Beijing

    Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT), established on September 29 of 2003, is a coordinating network for policy oriented research institutions in East Asian countries (currently ASEAN +3) on East Asian cooperation.

    The building of NEAT was under the request of the Sixth ASEAN+3 Summit. On November  4th, 2002 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the leaders of ASEAN+3 countries endorsed the Final Report of the East Asia Study Group and requested that the 17 short-term measures in the Report be implemented as soon as possible. China volunteered to be the prime mover on the measure of building a Network of East Asian Think-tanks, which was well received by all countries concerned.

    The function of NEAT is to:

    A.Pool together academic resources of East Asian countries to provide intellectual support for East Asia cooperation. It aims to set up a platform to promote communication and exchanges between East Asia and the rest of the world.

    B. Study issues and initiatives brought forward by the 10+3 Summit meetings.

    C. Study major issues concerning East Asia cooperation in key areas.

    NEAT will set up a system, which will facilitate mutual exchanges of research information among the member. NEAT will hold the annual meeting in rotation within East Asian countries, which will be attended by NEAT members. Virtual workshops and exchanges will also be organized to build up the research constituent. NEAT may organize various kinds of activities such as exchange of scholars.

    NEAT will serve as a track 2 of East Asian cooperation. It will designate its members as representatives to participate in track1 meetings of East Asian cooperation, international conferences and other activities. Reports on joint researches will be published irregularly. Some theme reports will be submitted to the annual ASEAN+3 Summit taking into consideration the established procedures for reporting to the Summit.

    An Internet homepage will be set up to publicize the developments on East Asia study and publish research achievements made by institutional and individual members, as well as documents relating to East Asian cooperation process. A periodical will be established when conditions mature.

    The membership of NEAT is open to all think-tanks and their scholars in 10 +3 countries. By definition, a think-tank refers to a real policy oriented research institution, and to be a member of NEAT, scholars should do their research mainly on policy issues relating to East Asian cooperation.

    Each country designates, with the support from the respective government, one leading institution as the country coordinator. The country coordinator is responsible for developing the country think-tanks network, developing NEAT members, coordinating and organizing research projects and meetings independently or projected by NEAT on East Asian cooperation issues.

    NEAT is led by the General Coordinator. The general coordinator is the representative of NEAT and is responsible for coordinating the work of country networks through country coordinators and developing the relations with outside think-tanks, as well as international organizations.

The coordinating office of NEAT is allocated in Beijing, China. NEAT should get full support from East Asian governments. While it receives financial support from the government, it also welcomes the support and contribution from private sector, foundations and individuals.